Since 1925, Adirondack Woodcraft Camps has called the Adirondacks home. AWC has existed in peaceful harmony; in perfect time with the natural cycles of the park for over 80 years. Woodcraft was founded and directed by William "Chief" Abbott for 50 years. He passed on his legendary camp to the Leach Family in 1976.

The Leach Family is uniquely qualified to operate the camp. Patriarch Jack Leach purchased AWC as he was nearing retirement after 20 years as Superintendent of Town of Webb Schools in Old Forge, N.Y. Soon, sons John and Dave, both professional educators, joined their father and continue to carry on the Woodcraft tradition today. Both spent previous summers working for "Chief" Abbott and grew up just seven miles from camp.

What We Do is Special!! Although other camps offer similar “in camp” activities, a climbing wall, a complete waterfront, a nature program, arts and crafts and a comprehensive and exciting outdoor program, few provide top-flight instruction and opportunities in each area. Woodcraft prides itself on excelling in all these areas. We can provide a success experience for every camper each and every day.

Where we do it is also extraordinary!! Woodcraft resides on nearly 400 acres of forests, fields and two secluded and pristine lakes. We have over 3 miles of unspoiled shoreline, 1.5 miles of wilderness river frontage, and we are home to a unique system of trails and overnight camping sites in the Adirondack State Park. Camps with twice as many campers make do with campuses half our size. Our location in the Adirondack Mountains provides easy access to New York’s best rivers, mountains and wilderness areas.

But it’s how we do it that makes all the difference. Woodcraft creates a uniquely positive growth experience by combining extraordinary attention to the individual needs of each camper (we have approximately 120 campers, a five-to-one camper to staff ratio, and an average cabin size of five), a pressure-free, fun and supportive atmosphere, and a highly skilled and caring administration and staff. John and Dave Leach, the Directors/Owners, have more than 30 years of Woodcraft experience. They have their Master’s Degrees in Education and teach and coach in the local public school system. Alex Bumpas, the program director is also a schoolteacher in the Nashville Tennessee area. Many of our other key staff members are professional educators with years of experience both in education and in the wilderness setting.

Yes. We will try to get you every other night off after 9:15 and at least one full 24 hour period off each week. This is our goal but understand with our busy tripping schedule it is not always possible. We will also attempt to get you 2-3 activity periods off each day. Other wise you will be responsible for being present and a role model for our campers in a variety of settings.

Yes, many! Most are beyond measurement, like the life experiences and relationships that you will develop with campers and other staff members. You will have a supportive administrative staffs that has years of experience to help you through every counseling predicament that you encounter. You will also receive Room, Board, laundry as well as great food and use of the facilities.

We will provide you with a Staff Shirt that you will have to wear on opening day, parents weekend and again on the last day of camp. We ask that you bring a good pair of Khaki pants or shorts to wear with this staff shirt.

There is an equipment list available online (link). This will help you organize what you should bring. Remember this is a suggested list and if you have any questions, feel free to call or email for more clarification.

Many staff members drive to camp. We will have a special parking lot for you to use. No non-maintenance vehicles will be allowed on campus while camp is in session. If you are to use public transportation to get to camp, you will need to make arrangements for us to pick you up either in Utica, or Syracuse, NY. This is 1-2 hours from camp and will take some organization. At the beginning of camp we will make arrangements to meet everyone at the same time to simplify driving. The same will be true at the end of the camp season.

The camp’s sleeping cabins are divided by age and gender. There are counselors bunking with each group, and the cabins are interspersed around the woods. The younger campers are close by the main camp, and the older campers are housed the farthest away. The boys cabins are more rustic than girls. Showers and bathrooms offer privacy at all ages. Campers have cabin mates and bunk mates, cabins sleep between four and six campers each.

What is a brief history of Woodcraft? Since 1925, Adirondack Woodcraft Camps has called the Adirondacks home. AWC has existed in peaceful harmony; in perfect time with the natural cycles of the park for over 80 years. Woodcraft was founded and directed by William "Chief" Abbott for 50 years. He passed on his legendary camp to the Leach Family in 1976.

The Leach Family is uniquely qualified to operate the camp. Patriarch Jack Leach purchased AWC as he was nearing retirement after 20 years as Superintendent of Town of Webb Schools in Old Forge, N.Y. Soon, sons John and Dave, both professional educators, joined their father and continue to carry on the Woodcraft tradition today. Both spent previous summers working for "Chief" Abbott and grew up just seven miles from camp.